Mini guitar amps have come a long way. Not so long ago, these compact amps were often considered novelties, producing thin and uninspiring sounds. However, modern advancements have transformed them into powerful tools for guitarists of all levels. Today’s Smallest Guitar Amps deliver impressive tones and features in incredibly portable packages, perfect for home practice, on-the-go jamming, and even small gigs. Forget lugging around heavy tube amps; the best mini amps offer great sound without sacrificing space or convenience.
A true mini amp prioritizes lightweight design and a minimal footprint, making them even smaller than typical practice amps included in beginner guitar sets. They feature significantly smaller speakers and many are battery-powered, enhancing their portability. Thanks to improvements in passive radiator technology and sophisticated amp modeling, these little amps can produce surprisingly full sounds capable of filling a room, defying their diminutive size. This versatility appeals to a broad spectrum of players, from beginners just starting their musical journey to seasoned professionals seeking a convenient practice companion.
Choosing the right small guitar amp can be overwhelming given the vast array of options. To simplify your search, we’ve categorized our top recommendations based on specific needs. Consider how you intend to use your amp: Is it for quiet home practice, a portable setup to use with your pedalboard, or an all-in-one solution for a beginner? This guide covers various scenarios to help you find the perfect smallest guitar amp for your needs. For further information, be sure to check out our FAQs section.
Our Top Picks
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A Positive Grid Spark Mini amp](Best overall)
1. Positive Grid Spark Mini
The Positive Grid Spark Mini stands out as our top pick for the smallest guitar amp overall. It packs features typically found in larger amplifiers into a remarkably small body, delivering impressive sound quality. Its user-friendly design and vast tonal options make it incredibly appealing.
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An NUX Mighty Lite BT MKII mini amp](Best budget)
2. NUX Mighty Lite BT MKII
The NUX Mighty Lite BT MKII is an exceptional budget-friendly smallest guitar amp, offering an astonishing range of features at an incredibly affordable price. If you’re seeking a feature-rich amp without breaking the bank, the Mighty Lite is an excellent choice.
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A Boss Katana Mini X mini guitar amp](Best beginner)
3. Boss Katana Mini X
The Boss Katana Mini X represents a significant advancement for BOSS in the mini amp category. It delivers powerful sound in a stylish and user-friendly design. While slightly larger for a mini amp, its performance justifies the size, making it ideal for beginners.
Best Overall
Positive Grid Spark Mini amp on a wooden floor with a guitar cable
1. Positive Grid Spark Mini
The best smallest guitar amp for overall performance
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price: $229 / £189
Watts: 10W
Speaker: 2×2”
Dimensions: D4.84″, W5.76″, H6.49″
Effects: 43 Built-in Effects
Inputs: 1x 1/4″ (instrument), 1x 1/8″ (aux in)
Outputs: 1x 1/8″ (headphones/line out), 1x USB-C, Bluetooth
Battery: Integrated rechargeable battery
Reasons to Buy
- Extensive tone options
- Excellent sound quality
- Premium build quality
Reasons to Avoid
- Can struggle with deep bass frequencies
- App dependency might not appeal to everyone
At a Glance
✅ Ideal if you need a versatile smallest guitar amp: The Spark Mini is a comprehensive solution for guitarists, offering a vast library of amps and effects alongside valuable practice tools.
❌ Not ideal if you prefer amp operation without apps: While functional without the app, the Spark Mini’s full potential is unlocked through app integration. Consider other options if you prefer a smartphone-free experience.
The Spark Mini lives up to its name in size, but not in performance. Its cleverly designed angled dual 2” speaker configuration produces a sound that far exceeds expectations for its size. It delivers balanced audio with surprising detail and adequate low-end response for most applications. While extremely powerful bass tones might push the speakers to their limits, for most guitar playing scenarios, the Spark Mini offers impressive sonic depth.
Beyond sound, the Spark Mini excels in build quality. Despite its glass-fiber construction, the exterior Tolex covering adds a touch of luxury, and the classy mesh grille enhances its visual appeal. This is a smallest guitar amp you’ll be happy to display in your home.
It comes pre-loaded with four presets, offering a great starting point. However, to fully explore its capabilities, the Positive Grid Spark app is essential. While some might be hesitant to use an app-controlled amp, the Spark app is intuitive and provides complete access to 43 effects and a comprehensive amp catalog. For those who prefer ready-made sounds, over 10,000 presets are available – an unmatched offering in the mini amp market.
Read our full Positive Grid Spark Mini review
Best Budget
NUX Mighty Lite BT MKII mini amp with a smartphone and electric guitar
2. NUX Mighty Lite BT MKII
The best value smallest guitar amp
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price: $99 / £79
Watts: 3W
Speaker: 1x 3”
Dimensions: D3.86”, W6.54”, H4.88”
Effects: Delay, Reverb
Inputs: 1x 1/4″ (instrument), 1x 1/8″ (aux in)
Outputs: 1x 1/8″ (headphones), USB C
Battery: 6x AA Batteries
Reasons to Buy
- Exceptional value for money
- Feature-rich for its price
Reasons to Avoid
- App is necessary to unlock full potential
- Relies on AA batteries
At a Glance
✅ Buy if you are budget-conscious: The Mighty Lite offers excellent sound and extensive functionality at a very accessible price point, around $100.
❌ Avoid if you dislike battery-powered devices: Without an internal rechargeable battery, you’ll need to use AA batteries or invest in rechargeable alternatives.
NUX has firmly established itself in the small guitar amp market with the Mighty Lite BT MKII. The introduction of a dedicated mobile app is a bold move, especially considering the established competition. However, the MightyAmp Mobile App is user-friendly, featuring a graphic interface that even those less tech-savvy will find easy to navigate. Using the MightyAmp app expands the Mighty Lite’s tonal possibilities and unlocks additional effects.
For users who prefer not to use an app, the Mighty Lite is ready to use right out of the box. It includes built-in delay/reverb (selectable one at a time) with tap tempo, along with standard gain, volume, and tone controls for dialing in a solid sound. Combined with a drum machine featuring nine different patterns and Bluetooth connectivity, it becomes a highly capable practice amp, especially considering its status as a smallest guitar amp.
The Mighty Lite’s feature set relative to its price is outstanding, making it one of the best value smallest guitar amps available. The reliance on AA batteries is a minor drawback, though it can also be powered by a third-party USB power bank, offering a convenient alternative.
Best for Beginners
Boss Katana Mini X guitar amp on a wooden floor with guitar picks and headphones
3. Boss Katana Mini X
The top smallest guitar amp for those just starting out
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price: $149.99 / £145
Watts: 10W
Speaker: 1x 5”
Dimensions: D5.75”, W11.31”, H7.87”
Effects: Chorus, Phaser, Tremolo, T. Wah, Synth, Delay, Reverb
Inputs: 1x 1/4″ (instrument), 1x 1/8″ (aux in)
Outputs: 1x 1/8″ (headphones/rec out), USB C
Battery: Integrated rechargeable battery
Reasons to Buy
- Powerful sound for its size
- Robust build quality
- Feature-packed and versatile
Reasons to Avoid
- Larger than typical mini amps
At a Glance
✅ Buy if you need an excellent first amp: The Boss Katana Mini X strikes a perfect balance, providing all essential features without overwhelming beginners with excessive options. Its app-free operation is also a major plus for simplicity.
❌ Avoid if space is extremely limited: The Katana Mini X is on the larger end of the mini amp spectrum, being noticeably bigger than many others in this category.
The Katana Mini X is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Katana Mini, and represents BOSS’s ambition to lead the mini amp market, mirroring their success with the full-sized Katana range. While the original Katana Mini felt somewhat basic, the Katana Mini X is a different class of smallest guitar amp.
Key improvements include a wider range of effects and enhanced features. A major upgrade, especially for portable use, is the shift from disposable AA batteries to an integrated rechargeable battery, charged via USB-C. This is a welcome change and makes the Katana Mini X much more practical for regular use on the go.
The 5” speaker delivers substantial punch, particularly in the low-end frequencies. Combined with a great selection of BOSS effects, this smallest guitar amp is a compelling addition for any player seeking quality tones in a portable format. While it is larger than some mini amps, its portability is still excellent, especially considering the powerful sound it produces.
Best for Gigging
Orange Micro Dark mini guitar amp head on top of a flight case
4. Orange Micro Dark
The best smallest guitar amp for playing live
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price: $199 / £129
Watts: 20W
Speaker: N/A (Head Only)
Dimensions: D3.74″, W6.5″, H5.31″
Effects: None
Inputs: 1x 1/4″
Outputs: 1x 1/4″ (headphones)
Battery: No
Reasons to Buy
- Authentic tube tone
- High power output
- Extremely compact size
Reasons to Avoid
- No built-in effects
- Requires an external speaker cabinet
At a Glance
✅ Buy if you need a gig-ready smallest guitar amp: This tiny Orange head is perfect for gigging guitarists who need a highly portable amp that can fit in a backpack. Pair it with a venue’s cabinet and you’re ready to perform.
❌ Avoid if you need a standalone home practice amp: As it requires a speaker cabinet to produce sound, it’s not ideal for quiet home practice where portability and self-contained operation are key.
The Micro Dark is the leading smallest guitar amp head in its category. While other manufacturers have released their own mini heads to compete with Orange’s Micro series (Micro Dark and Micro Terror), none have achieved the same level of popularity.
The Micro Dark’s strength lies in its simplicity. A straightforward 3-knob layout provides surprising tonal control from its 20W hybrid power section. Crucially, the Micro Dark features a genuine ECC83 (12AX7) vacuum tube in the preamp, delivering authentic tube warmth and overdrive. Compared to the feature-rich digital mini amps, the Micro Dark might seem basic, lacking built-in effects.
It forgoes integrated effects, but includes an effects loop, appealing to players who use pedalboards. If you seek a versatile amp with numerous features, this might not be the best choice. However, if you need a gig-capable smallest guitar amp, the Micro Dark is an excellent option for achieving powerful tube tone in an ultra-compact format.
The main drawback for home practice is that the Micro Dark requires a speaker cabinet. Once you connect it to a cab, even a 4×12”, its “mini amp” designation becomes debatable in terms of the overall setup size. It’s primarily suited for players who need a compact head for live performances.
Best for Simplicity
Blackstar Fly 3 Charge mini amp
5. Blackstar Fly 3 Charge
An excellent smallest guitar amp for straightforward operation
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price: $129.99 / £119
Watts: 3W
Speaker: 1x 3”
Dimensions: D4.01″, W6.69″, H4.96″
Effects: Delay
Inputs: 1x 1/4” (instrument), 1x 1/8″ (aux in)
Outputs: 1x 1/8″ (headphones/line out), 1x USB-C, Bluetooth, Extension Cab Out
Battery: Integrated rechargeable battery
Reasons to Buy
- User-friendly and simple to operate
- Bluetooth enabled for playback
- Expandable with extension cabinet
Reasons to Avoid
- Single EQ control knob
At a Glance
✅ Buy if you value simplicity: The Blackstar Fly 3 prioritizes ease of use and great tone over apps and extensive features. It’s designed for players who want a no-fuss smallest guitar amp.
❌ Avoid if you need a wide range of tonal options: With only a single EQ knob and two channels, other mini amps on this list offer greater tonal versatility.
The Blackstar Fly series arguably pioneered the modern mini amp movement. It was among the first to take the concept of a smallest guitar amp seriously, delivering genuinely impressive tones in a supremely compact package. The Fly 3 Charge is the flagship of the Fly range, featuring a significant upgrade to an integrated rechargeable battery for up to 18 hours of playtime, along with Bluetooth connectivity.
The two channels provide clean and overdrive tones, with Blackstar’s patented ISF knob controlling the EQ. Blackstar emphasizes that the ISF knob goes beyond simple EQ adjustments, altering the amp’s tonal character. While effective, some players might prefer a more conventional multi-band EQ.
The Fly 3 Charge has a reassuringly solid build, and the original 2014 versions are still widely used today, demonstrating its durability. It’s also expandable with the Fly 103 extension cabinet, doubling the wattage to 6W and creating a stereo speaker setup for music playback. For beginners especially, this smallest guitar amp is an ideal starting point, and it’s likely to remain a valuable part of any guitarist’s collection for years.
Best Portable
Positive Grid Spark Go mini amp on a studio desk
6. Positive Grid Spark Go
The ultimate take-anywhere smallest guitar amp
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price: $129 / £114
Watts: 5W
Speaker: 1x 2”
Dimensions: D1.7″, W4.9″, H3.3″
Effects: 43 Effects
Inputs: 1x 1/4″
Outputs: 1x 1/8″ (headphones)
Battery?: Integrated
Reasons to Buy
- Surprisingly loud for its size
- Packed with features
- Extremely tiny and portable
Reasons to Avoid
- Can struggle with very low frequencies
At a Glance
✅ Buy if you need maximum portability: The PG Spark Go is truly pocket-sized, making it the ultimate take-anywhere amp, while still offering the sounds and features of its larger siblings.
❌ Avoid if you primarily play bass guitar: Due to its small speaker, it’s not well-suited for handling deep bass frequencies.
The Positive Grid Spark Go, the even smaller sibling of the Spark Mini, is the best option for guitarists who need ultimate portability and a wide range of sounds. Like other Spark amps, the Spark Go requires the Positive Grid Spark app to unlock its full potential, though basic functions are accessible directly on the amp.
When connected to the Spark app, the Spark Go offers virtually limitless sound creation possibilities, with 43 effects and a vast selection of amp models at your disposal. While some might find this level of customization complex, it provides exceptional versatility in a smallest guitar amp.
While it doesn’t match the Spark Mini’s volume output, which is expected given its smaller size and lower price, the Spark Go still delivers impressive loudness for its dimensions, thanks to its single 2” speaker. It’s ideal for those seeking the smallest possible solution without sacrificing sound quality, or as a portable companion for users who already own larger Spark amplifiers and want to take their tones on the road.
Read our full Positive Grid Spark Go review
Also Consider
The amps listed above represent our top recommendations for most guitarists. However, recognizing that individual needs vary, here are a few more smallest guitar amp options to consider.
Laney Mini-STB-Lion 2 6W | 2×3″ speakers | Bluetooth | 6x AA batteries
The Laney Mini-STB-Lion 2 refines the popular original Mini-ST-Lion, enhancing its features and performance. The ‘B’ in the name signifies the addition of Bluetooth connectivity. The Mini-STB-Lion-2’s standout feature remains its sound, with dual 3” speakers providing ample power for its size. ★★★★☆
Danelectro Honeytone1.5W | 1×2.5
Danelectro Honeytone 1.5W | 1×2.5″ speaker | No Bluetooth | 9V DC or 9V battery
If vintage style is a priority in your smallest guitar amp, the Danelectro Honeytone is a perfect choice. With its classic Danelectro aesthetics, reminiscent of a vintage find, this little amp is available in several cool colors and even features a genuine leather handle. A practical belt clip is also included for portability. ★★★★☆
FAQs
Close up of the effects knobs on the Boss Katana Mini X guitar amp
What is a mini amp?
A mini amp, or smallest guitar amp, is designed to be exceptionally portable, easily fitting into a backpack and being more compact than typical practice amps bundled with starter guitar kits. “Mini” usually refers to speaker size, typically five inches or smaller.
Many mini amps are battery-powered, which, while not essential, is a key selling point, allowing for playing anywhere and anytime, a significant advantage over larger, less portable amps.
What makes a great mini amp?
While physics dictates that smallest guitar amps won’t replicate the sound of larger amplifiers, they can still deliver impressive performance. The best mini amps sound much bigger than they are, with some capable of filling a room. This can be achieved through clever speaker design or EQ optimization that creates the illusion of a larger low end.
While high volume isn’t usually the primary goal when buying a smallest guitar amp, tone quality is crucial. Even at lower volumes, a great mini amp should sound excellent, and the best models are designed to sound optimal at quieter levels and in various environments.
What features should a mini amp have?
Historically, mini amps were very basic, but modern smallest guitar amps often include integrated effects, tuners, and even Bluetooth, offering almost everything a guitarist needs for practice with great tones. Bluetooth, a more recent addition, allows good mini amps to double as wireless speakers for music playback.
Essential effects to look for in a smallest guitar amp include time-based effects like reverb and delay, which can create a sense of spaciousness and depth. These effects minimize the sonic difference when switching between larger amps and mini amps.
Smallest guitar amps are increasingly popular among beginner guitarists due to their size and growing feature sets. An integrated tuner is particularly useful for beginners, simplifying practice. Ultimately, regardless of amp size, staying in tune is fundamental to good sound.
A headphone output is a must-have feature for the best smallest guitar amps. It allows for silent practice at any volume level while maintaining good tone.
How much should I spend on a mini amp?
Smallest guitar amps are generally affordable. Excellent options are readily available for under $200, and very capable models can be found for $100 or less. Generally, spending more will get you more features, higher volume, and improved sound quality. Amps under $50 might have fewer features and tonal options, but can still be enjoyable practice tools.
How We Test
Close up of the equalizer on a Boss Katana Mini X guitar amp
At Guitar Player, we have been testing gear since 1967, providing us with extensive knowledge of guitar equipment history. We’ve reviewed a wide range of guitar amps, from classic tube amps to modern modeling amps, giving us a strong foundation for evaluating smallest guitar amps for our guides. Our testing process for mini amps mirrors our approach to full-size guitar amps.
First, we assess the build quality, examining inputs and outputs, construction, speaker size, controls, and other physical attributes. This helps us understand the target user and intended applications of the smallest guitar amp.
Next, we delve into usability. For modeling amps, we evaluate the number of amp models and ease of access. We test built-in effects and additional features like Bluetooth or auxiliary inputs. We assess how intuitive it is to navigate the amp, dial in tones, and utilize extra functionalities.
Finally, and most importantly, we test the sound quality. For traditional amps, we start with neutral EQ settings and explore the amp’s tonal range, noting our observations.
For modeling amps, we begin with factory presets to evaluate their sound before customizing our own tones. We experiment with creating signal chains and assess the realism of amp models compared to our experience with actual gear.
Read more about how we test gear and services at Guitar Player.
